Graham Walker, Commercial Content Editor

WWE superstars swapped wrestling for basketball when they bounced into Sheffield for a slam-dunk time promoting the forthcoming Special Olympics GB national games coming to the city.

Four times WWE Women's champion Charlotte Flair, aged 31, daughter of Hall Of Famer Ric Flair, with American Alpha tag team champs Jason Jordan, 28, and Chad Gable, 31, were in Sheffield to entertain fans with a night of WWE LIVE wrestling at the Arena.

But they took time out earlier in the day to support and coach special youngsters in a Play Unified basketball game at All Saints Sports Centre.

Unified Sports bring people together with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team, to develop friendship and understanding.

It promoted the Special Olympics being held in the city from August 7 to 12.

Around 2,600 athletes with intellectual disabilities of all ages and abilities will come together from across the country. They will be supported over 4 days of competition by 800 coaches, 750 volunteers, 150 officials and over 5,000 family & friends. For more visit www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk.

WWE wrestler Jason said: "It's been an amazing experience. These guys and girls and amazing athletes and I think a lot of them are better basketball players than me.

Chad added: " The wrestling is a great part of what we do but this stuff blows it all out of the water. It's like so much more important. You never realise the influence you have over kids until you do something like this and the kids are shouting our your names - like man, you don;t even realise they know you. They look up to you. Doing this is so much more special than any wrestling match I could have."

Jason urged WWE's TV fans to attend the live shows. He said: "It's an amazing environment and atmosphere. You have the lights, the cameras, the pyro and we put on a great show.

"There's a lot of talented superstars on our roster. It's definitely a family friendly environment."

Chad added: "It gives fans a chance to get up close and personal, we have a little more interactive environment at these lives events than we have on TV. We really play with the crowd a little more than usual, so you get a real chance to interact with some of your favourite superstars."

* American Alpha were preparing for a SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match against vs The Usos as part of a stella night of wrestling at Sheffield Arena tonight - Thursday, May 11, from 7.30pm. Tickets are still available - visit www.sheffieldarena.co.uk.

Doors will open for this event at 6pm to allow extra time to enter the venue due to additional security requirements and measures.

WWE's newly created United Kingdom Championship Tournament (UKCT) stars will make history when they also grapple on a UK tour for the first time including UKCT champ Tyler Bate, his Moustache Mountain tag team mate Trent Seven, plus Sam Gradwell, Pete Dunne, Joseph Conners and James Drake.

BUY TICKETS: Guarantee your seats to see the live action at Sheffield Arena, limited to six per person. All prices including booking fees, where applicable, are £26, £36.75, £47.25, £63 or £73.50, when bought in person from the Arena box office.

Or pay £28, £39.20, £50.40, £67.20 and £78.40, by calling the Arena hotline on 0114 256 5656 or via the website, where you will find more event details, at www.sheffieldarena.co.uk.

A limited number of WWE Superstar VIP Experience tickets were available for this show priced £400, including premium ringside ticket, meet and greet autograph opportunity with WWE superstars, line-up subject to change; three new exclusive VIP merchandise Items, limited edition 2017 autograph book and a matted superstar collage.

Merchandise packages were available priced £250, including best tiered ticket, matted autographed superstar photo, three new exclusive VIP merchandise Items and official WWE program.

Talent depicted and scheduled to appear are subject to change. All times listed are local time.